Five things we like — and dislike — about the 2018 Mercedes-AMG GLA 45

Mercedes-AMG's GLA 45 is a rambunctious little hell-raiser in a tailored suit

Another crossover. Just what we need. In the sea of beige, black, silver and white that seems to dominate our roads and traffic jams, it’s easy to forget about the Mercedes-Benz GLA. Introduced in 2014 and refreshed last year, the GLA is Mercedes’ response to consumers demanding more crossovers — because what else do people these days want?

Most crossovers are monotonous and boring appliances. Some are nicer than others — think of these as “stainless steel” appliances, like the regular GLA. But therein lies the keyword: Regular. The AMG-tuned GLA 45 is anything but. Technically, it’s a crossover, but that’s like calling a tomato a fruit. The GLA 45 is something else; it looks like that GLA 250 you just parked beside at the mall, but at the core, it’s a rambunctious little hell-raiser in a tailored suit. Here’s how the Mercedes-AMG GLA 45 made its impression on us, for better or worse.

What we like: It’s a “crossover,” but actually a hot hatch. The fascinating thing about the GLA 45 is, you can configure it to look as wild or understated as you want. Mercedes offers up a selection of wilder colours, on top of the traditional pallet of greys and whatnot, on top of a number of wheel designs and even a body kit that adds a front lip, canards on the front bumper, and a questionably tasteful rear wing. It’s also low — not just “for a crossover,” but also for hot-hatch standards.

2018 Mercedes-AMG GLA 45

Nick Tragianis, Driving

2018 Mercedes-AMG GLA 45

Nick Tragianis, Driving

2018 Mercedes-AMG GLA 45

Nick Tragianis, Driving

2018 Mercedes-AMG GLA 45

Nick Tragianis, Driving

2018 Mercedes-AMG GLA 45

Nick Tragianis, Driving

2018 Mercedes-AMG GLA 45

Nick Tragianis, Driving

2018 Mercedes-AMG GLA 45

Nick Tragianis, Driving

2018 Mercedes-AMG GLA 45

Nick Tragianis, Driving

2018 Mercedes-AMG GLA 45

Nick Tragianis, Driving

2018 Mercedes-AMG GLA 45

Nick Tragianis, Driving

2018 Mercedes-AMG GLA 45

Nick Tragianis, Driving

2018 Mercedes-AMG GLA 45

Nick Tragianis, Driving

2018 Mercedes-AMG GLA 45

Nick Tragianis, Driving

2018 Mercedes-AMG GLA 45

Nick Tragianis, Driving

2018 Mercedes-AMG GLA 45

Nick Tragianis, Driving

2018 Mercedes-AMG GLA 45

Nick Tragianis, Driving

2018 Mercedes-AMG GLA 45

Nick Tragianis, Driving

2018 Mercedes-AMG GLA 45

Nick Tragianis, Driving

What we don’t like: It’s a “crossover,” but actually a hot hatch. For some, that’s a good thing. For others, not so much. If you’re expecting the traditional merits of a crossover — in other words, a higher seating position, easier ingress and egress, and more ground clearance — with a helping of extra speed and attitude, either look elsewhere or adjust your expectations.

What we like: Its nutty engine. The AMG GLA 45 is powered by a handbuilt, 2.0-litre turbo-four putting out a whopping 375 horsepower and 350 lb.-ft. of torque. That’s nuts. Paired to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and Mercedes’ 4Matic all-wheel-drive system, the GLA 45 is batty. It makes quick work of highway on-ramps and stoplight drag races, and has almost endless passing power. The dual-clutch transmission is smart, and the adjustable drive modes — Individual, Comfort, Sport, Sport+ and Race — dramatically change the GLA 45’s behaviour. It’s a manic little car.

What we don’t like: Between the engine and the transmission, there’s some lag. The way the GLA 45 behaves is almost old-school — nothing, nothing, and then suddenly, boost! The GLA 45 shoves you hard into your seat and keeps you glued there, but the old-school lag is a little off-putting. It’s fun when you’re carving corners and have to keep the engine revving, but in traffic? That slight delay, as the GLA takes a very brief pause to figure out what you want to do, makes itself known in real-world driving.

What we like: It makes hilarious noises. You don’t expect a crossover to snap, crackle and pop, but then again, is the GLA 45 really a crossover? With every downshift, even in Comfort mode, the GLA 45 is juvenile and hilarious, letting out a handful of pops and farts. Toggle Sport, Sport+ or Race, and those juvenile noises get even louder. It’s properly hilarious and it actually lends some character to the car.

What we don’t like: The interior. It’s not as though the GLA 45’s cabin is a bad place to spend time — the crucial bits, specifically the tight sport seats and meaty part-leather, part-Alcantara steering wheel, are all befitting of the car’s sporting aspirations. The red accents and patterned trim are a lovely touch, too. That being said, it’s plagued by the same issues as the standard GLA; the materials aren’t befitting of a $60,000 Merc and the infotainment feels dated compared to MBUX. Plus, there are a few quibbles with ergonomics. More on that in a bit.

What we like: It can be as demure or as wild as you want. In keeping with the GLA 45’s demure-or-wild looks, the car behaves pretty much the same, all thanks to the GLA 45’s drive modes. Comfort is perfect for mindless commuting; the transmission operates almost invisibly, the otherwise wild engine purrs and the exhaust’s crackles and pops are mostly muted. Flicking between Sport, Sport+ and Race modes plays with throttle response, shift points, stability control, exhaust volume, etc. — and make the car a bit unlivable for daily driving, but an absolute boon when fun is the objective.

2018 Mercedes-AMG GLA 45

Nick Tragianis, Driving

2018 Mercedes-AMG GLA 45

Nick Tragianis, Driving

2018 Mercedes-AMG GLA 45

Nick Tragianis, Driving

2018 Mercedes-AMG GLA 45

Nick Tragianis, Driving

2018 Mercedes-AMG GLA 45

Nick Tragianis, Driving

2018 Mercedes-AMG GLA 45

Nick Tragianis, Driving

2018 Mercedes-AMG GLA 45

Nick Tragianis, Driving

2018 Mercedes-AMG GLA 45

Nick Tragianis, Driving

2018 Mercedes-AMG GLA 45

Nick Tragianis, Driving

2018 Mercedes-AMG GLA 45

Nick Tragianis, Driving

2018 Mercedes-AMG GLA 45

Nick Tragianis, Driving

2018 Mercedes-AMG GLA 45

Nick Tragianis, Driving

2018 Mercedes-AMG GLA 45

Nick Tragianis, Driving

2018 Mercedes-AMG GLA 45

Nick Tragianis, Driving

2018 Mercedes-AMG GLA 45

Nick Tragianis, Driving

2018 Mercedes-AMG GLA 45

Nick Tragianis, Driving

2018 Mercedes-AMG GLA 45

Nick Tragianis, Driving

2018 Mercedes-AMG GLA 45

Nick Tragianis, Driving

What we don’t like: Ergonomics. Front passengers will find the GLA 45 roomy enough, but rear passengers won’t be so lucky — legroom isn’t exactly generous, and taller folks will have their heads brush up against the headliner. In addition, the driving position is a bit odd — drivers who set their mirrors as recommended by the Society of Automotive Engineers might find even with the driver’s side mirror set to its widest, there’s still a very small — but very annoying — blind spot. Your mileage may vary. Plus, the shifter — embossed with Mercedes-AMG’s classy logo — is positioned awkwardly far from the driver, so don’t plan on using it as a hand rest.

What we like: Fantastic handling and grip. The GLA 45’s nutty powertrain doesn’t deserve all the credit. Some might knock the GLA 45 for riding rough and choppy, constantly informing your posterior (and lower back) of every bump, crack, crevice and pebble on the road. But really, the GLA 45 just offers first-rate feedback. In a modern-day performance car, this kind of character and feel is unprecedented; the meaty steering wheel is far from numb and the sheer grip the GLA 45 offers while taking a tight corner is unreal.

What we don’t like: It all comes down to price. The GLA 45 is a hilarious, entertaining star in Mercedes’ AMG lineup. But as-tested, the part-rocket, part-crossover tops out at $62,500. Some might have trouble justifying that amount of coin for something with “just four cylinders” under the hood — even within the Benz lineup and based on price alone, 60-large puts you in reach of a well-equipped Mercedes-AMG C43 and its delicious twin-turbo V6. If it’s hatchback practicality you’re after, there’s the Ford Focus RS and Honda Civic Type R — yes, the latter two won’t be as refined as the GLA 45, but they’re equally nutty for thousands of dollars less. With $60,000 to blow on a performance car, you’re spoiled for choice — the GLA 45 is a fantastic option, but it’s certainly not be be-all and end-all.